Countdown to 2014 World Cup in Brazil: Day 82

Seattle's Clint Dempsey on the ground after being fouled in last week's game against Toronto. Dempsey suffered six fouls in the match.CreditTed S. Warren/Associated Press

The 2014 World Cup begins on June 12, when Brazil plays Croatia in the opening match. Reporters and editors for The Times will count down to the start of the tournament each day with a short capsule of news and interesting tidbits.

Friday was not the best of days for Jurgen Klinsmann, the coach of the United States men’s national team.

Major League Soccer’s disciplinary committee came down hard on one of Klinsmann’s star players, suspending Seattle’s Clint Dempsey for two regular-season games. That means that Dempsey will not see any game action before the American team plays Mexico in an international friendly in Glendale, Ariz., on April 2.

“It’s very disappointing to see Clint be the only person punished from this game,” Klinsmann said in a statement. “There is a foul against him in the sixth minute that should have been a red card. The persistent fouling continued throughout the game, and he’s getting punished for a reaction following all those fouls. Yes, he made a mistake, but if opponents don’t get penalized for consistently fouling, it only encourages them to continue that approach. A two-game suspension for that moment seems very harsh, and it comes at a very bad time for us as it throws him out of a rhythm before the game against Mexico.”

Dempsey was not ejected in last week’s match against Toronto for what was ruled to have been an intentional kick to the midsection of Mark Bloom. Dempsey claimed he was slapping away Bloom’s hand, but the disciplinary committee did not see it that way. Apparently, none of the on-field officials saw the incident. You can see the play here.

Dempsey returned to M.L.S. late last season after leaving Tottenham of England’s Premier League (he went back to England over the winter, playing for Fulham). Klinsmann has expressed concern about Dempsey’s welfare in the face of what can often be rough play in the league. Through two games this season, Dempsey has been fouled eight times, tied for third most in the league — six times in last week’s game alone.

Dempsey, 31, is considered by Klinsmann to be one of the American team’s most important players in the runup to the World Cup in Brazil. The coach is particularly vocal about the need for his players to be playing regularly for their club teams.